In this paper, we argue that COVID-19 has demonstrated the seriousness of longstanding neglect of public education infrastructure, particularly where school health education and school-based health services are concerned, as well as having accentuated long-standing vulnerabilities among older adults.

Methods:

We examined practices about the divide between evidence-based recommendations of experts and system responses that leave a sizeable number of Americans vulnerable to the worst aspects of COVID-19.

Results:

We identify practices in schools, as well as institutions that respond to the needs of older Americans that increase general risk across generations from the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. We also caution against making unwarranted assumptions or generalizations about older adults in and out of care settings.

Conclusion:

Authorities need to learn lessons from the present pandemic to avoid similar types of vulnerability in future public health emergencies.